Interflug was the former state airline of the German Democratic Republic, until 1991, when it ceased operations following German reunification. Originally, the GDR had intended to call its airline Lufthansa, but this met opposition from the Federal Republic of Germany.
Based at Schönefeld airport in the then East Berlin, Interflug used Soviet aircraft, such as the Ilyushin Il-62 and Tupolev Tu-134, although in the late 1980s it introduced three Airbus A310s. Interflug operated mainly in Europe, particularly Eastern European countries in the Soviet bloc, although it also operated flights to Cuba, countries in Africa with pro-Soviet regimes, and in the late 1980s, to Southeast Asia. The airline was also responsible for the running of the nation's airports.
In 1990, Lufthansa agreed to take a 26 percent stake in Interflug with the aim of a eventual merger, but this was met with governmental opposition. In 1991, the money-losing airline was liquidated with its 32 aircraft being sold for $192.3 million. [1]
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Last updated: 10-12-2005 11:31:45
